UNSW SCIENCE FOR SOCIETY

Materials Science and Engineering

Never Stand Still Science

The School of Materials Science and Engineering combines science and technology to develop practical solutions to make a difference in a technology enabled society.

Materials Science and Engineering is about developing the very best materials for a range of applications including aerospace, automotive, biomedical and IT-based industries. Ranked as Australia’s #1 materials school, we are connected to industry through a number of partnerships, including those with ANSTO, Boral, Bureau Veritas, Cochlear, CSIRO, Gujarat NRE Minerals, Hitachi Chemical Limited, OneSteel and Weir Minerals. By working closely with industry, students are guaranteed a study experience which combines research and practical application for real-world challenges.

Our graduates are able to work in diverse, future-focused and innovative fields; from niche ceramics to filtration systems and print devices. Students benefit from our ongoing investment to provide world-class facilities including a new $145 million Materials Science and Engineering building.

Materials Science and Engineering

Undergraduate Studies in Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science is the underlying science of high-performance materials including metals, ceramics and plastics, electronic materials, nano-materials, composites and biomaterials. Materials scientists are involved in every aspect of technology, ranging from the design of materials for use in integrated circuits and medical implants, through to materials needed for green energy generation.

Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering)The first year of the program lays a strong foundation in mathematics, chemistry and physics. Second year moves deeper into materials science through courses in fundamental properties and structures of materials, as well as aspects of engineering design, application and selection of materials. In third and fourth year, the study of materials properties and practical evaluation allows greater specialisation through technical and professional electives. Electives vary with the selected study plan and include Ceramics, Materials Science, Physical Metallurgy or Process Metallurgy. Fourth year students have the opportunity to concentrate on a research project sharpening experimental and analytical skills. The program includes lectures, practical hands-on laboratory work and research and design projects. It also includes components of professional communication, management and industrial training.

Admissions Details

Bachelor of ScienceThis degree program provides the widest range of options for study in more than 20 majors of science, providing flexibility and choice as well as insights into different scientific fields.

Bachelor of Science (Advanced)The degree program is designed to challenge talented students, providing an early window into the thinking and practice of research. This program differs from the Bachelor of Science by the inclusion of advanced level courses, an Honours year, and options tailored to an individual’s aptitude and interests.

Bachelor of Science (International)The Bachelor of Science (International) degree offers flexibility and choice, with more than 20 fields of study combined with a study exchange to an overseas partner institution. The program comprises a science-based major; a minor in a language; electives that cover cultural studies, international business, development studies and globalisation; and an overseas exchange for 2 sessions at an approved partner university.

Bachelor of Science and BusinessThe Bachelor of Science and Business degree allows students to follow their passion for science and, at the same time, gain vitally important business knowledge to expand their career options. In addition to completing a science major, students select business courses in marketing, business law and/or management.

Dual DegreesDual degrees enable students to combine a Science program with a program from another faculty offering greater flexibility to explore individual interests, expand skill bases and broaden career prospects.

Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering) /Master of Biomedical EngineeringThis degree includes a four year Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Science and a fifth year Master of Biomedical Engineering. It is specifically designed for students who want to pursue a career in biomedical engineering through the technical base of materials science and engineering.

Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering) /Chemical EngineeringThis degree is specifically for students wishing to pursue a career in the related disciplines of materials engineering and chemical engineering, with professional accreditation in both disciplines. It is a new and unique combination of professional qualifications that no other Australian institution currently offers.

Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering) /CommerceThis degree is for potential engineers in the fields of physical metallurgy, materials engineering, ceramic engineering or process metallurgy who want to become skilled in technical management and more aware of economic and social aspects of the engineering profession.

Accreditation: These degrees are accredited with the Institute of Engineers Australia.

Program UAC code UNSW program code Length of study Cut-off

Bachelor of Materials Science and Engineering

429600 3135 4 years full-time

ATAR 84.45IB 31

Or equivalent

Materials Science Engineering/Biomedical Engineering

429630 3138 5 years full-time ATAR 91.00

IB 34Or equivalent

Materials Science Engineering/Chemical Engineering

429620 3137 5 years full-time ATAR 91.00

IB 34Or equivalent

Materials Science Engineering/Commerce

429610 3136 5.5 years full-time ATAR 96.30

IB 38Or equivalent

Bachelor of Science 429000 3970 3 years full-timeATAR 84.00

IB 31Or equivalent

Bachelor of Science (Advanced)

429350 3972 4 years full-timeATAR 95.00

IB 37Or equivalent

Bachelor of Science (International)

429420 3987 4 years full-timeATAR 87.00

IB 32Or equivalent

Bachelor of Science and Business

429100 3925 3 years full-timeATAR 90.00

IB 34Or equivalent

The Materials Science and Engineering major can be studied within the following degree programs:

Specialist degrees:

Specialist degrees (Con’t) :

School Contact Details School of Materials Science and EngineeringBuilding E10UNSW AustraliaSydney, NSW Australia 2052

Tel: +61 2 9385 7298Email: enquiries@materials.unsw.edu.auWebsite: www.materials.unsw.edu.auFacebook.com: /UNSWMaterials

Science Student Centre Room 128 Robert Webster Building UNSW Australia Sydney, NSW Australia 2052

Tel: +61 2 9385 7788Email: studyscience@unsw.edu.auWebsite: www.science.unsw.edu.au

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Student Testimonials“The Materials Science degree is an excellent course that provides students with further knowledge and skills across engineering and science disciplines. It provides a great platform for graduates to continue to work in these fields or even branch out into finance or banking as these industries look to employ graduates from outside the traditional economics and finance areas. I have found it provided me with the technical and educational background to be a success in my chosen fields of pursuit.” Greg Bodkin – Class of 1987BE (Materials Science and Engineering) Senior Vice President Cochlear Limited

“I was drawn to the interdisciplinary possibilities of Materials Science. Bridging science and engineering, the subject matter had a good coverage of both the theory of why and how materials have the properties they do, and practical applications in industry.

Being both a scientist and engineer meant working with a diverse group of students and academics, so I had a fantastic time at UNSW. Many people still ask what we do and are surprised at how relevant our field is to many others; it’s a great conversation starter. In the later years, the close-knit community at MSE really shone through, especially the support we gave each other during our Honours thesis research projects.” Holstein Wong – Class of 2013BE (Materials Science and Engineering) 1st Class Honours and University Medal in Ceramic EngineeringGraduate Engineer – Product Processing, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance

Career OpportunitiesA degree in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) can take you anywhere in almost any industry. Graduates of MSE at UNSW will be equipped to work in fundamental scientific research, manufacturing and materials processing, management, quality, safety, the environmental impact of materials and commercialisation of materials technologies.

Studying Material Science and Engineering could lead to a range of professions, including a Sustainable Processing Engineer, Energy and Electronics Engineer, Failure Analysts and Forensic Scientist, Composite Technologist, Materials Scientist, Extractive Metallurgist, Physical Metallurgist or Ceramicist – to name a few.

Our MSE graduates have recently been employed by a wide range of companies and organisations including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto Aluminium, Cochlear Limited, Boston Consulting Group, Accenture Consulting, Anglo Coal Australia, Boral Bricks and BlueScope Research.

For further information regarding careers within the sphere of Materials Science and Engineering, visit our careers page on: www.materials.unsw.edu.au/future-students/careers